Krakow’s Rynek Glowny is the central square in the middle of Old Town and is the largest medieval square in Europe. In the center of the square stands a large building called Sukiennice, or Cloth Hall for easier pronunciation. The Cloth Hall is built in a Renaissance style and was a symbol of trade in the olden days, but nowadays it is a symbol of tourist cash and postcards.

The open and domelike halls were probably once filled with vendors and artisans all over Eastern and Western Europe and was probably a sight to see. The open framework alongside the side of the building is inviting and allows for passersby to have a good look as to what is going on inside. In the upper floors houses a museum of art, where polish paintings and sculptures reside. So much history is embedded in this style of architecture that one can’t simply recreate a carbon copy of it again anywhere else.

Admittedly the Cloth Hall itself has been renovated and rebuilt before due to the countless amount of conflicts that have happened in Eastern Europe, but rebuilding this building to its original state is only really acceptable because the nature of the original building itself. If one were to build an exact replica in Tulsa, it would feel forced and contrived. What if there erupts a conflict in this part of the world that leads to the destruction of this building. Would we rebuild it in the same exact manner as before? Perhaps it is because the fact the town itself has so much history we feel that rebuilding in the same manner is the way we preserve the history of the building. Honestly I wouldn’t know the exact answer, but it is an interesting question to think about when we approach old architecture.

The one answer I do know is when is the best time to visit. It is right at the tail end of the New Year’s tourism season, the winter decor is still up and the vendors and festivities are still there but without the massive crowds. So grab a cheap mulled wine and buy a pack of cigarettes from that gypsy vendor who’s selling them for half of the market price. Take a seat on a bench and take in all of the history that is embedded in this beautiful piece of architecture. You only live once, but this building will definitely outlive you.